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What are the key points you must pay attention to when using UV disinfection to protect yourself? It’s extremely important!

2021-03-24

What are the key points you must pay attention to when using UV disinfection to protect yourself? It’s extremely important!

Ultraviolet disinfection lamps are widely used in clinical medical practice, and every nurse should be thoroughly familiar with this disinfection tool. However, during the course of their use, they can easily cause harm. So, how can frontline nurses ensure proper safety protection?

Regulations on Ultraviolet Disinfection

1. The ultraviolet light used for disinfection is ultraviolet C (UV-C) light, with a wavelength range of 150–192 nm. The wavelength range of 350–280 nm exhibits the strongest bactericidal effect.
The ultraviolet light source used for disinfection must be a germicidal UV lamp capable of producing an irradiance level exceeding the national industry standards.
2. The ultraviolet lamp designated for disinfection, when operating at a voltage of 230V, with an ambient air humidity of 65% and a temperature of 20℃, emits radiation at 253.7nm.
The ultraviolet resistance shall not be less than 75 μW/cm².

Harm associated with ultraviolet disinfection

Ultraviolet light has a powerful destructive effect on pathogens, but it can also cause significant harm to the body. The eyes—specifically the corneas at the corners of the eyes—are particularly vulnerable. Therefore, under no circumstances should you stare directly at illuminated LED light tubes with both eyes to avoid injury. If you absolutely must look at them, use a protective shield made of glass or translucent plastic.

(1) Damage to the skin
1. Allergic reactions: If exposed skin is directly irradiated by these ultraviolet rays, it can damage the skin and cause allergic symptoms such as swelling, flaking, itching, pain, and red rashes.
2. Formation of skin wrinkles: When the skin is directly exposed to intense ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it becomes brittle. This is because prolonged UV exposure weakens the skin’s supporting structure, leading to a loss of elasticity and resulting in sagging, loosening, and other signs of skin fragility.
Moreover, UVR in ultraviolet rays can also damage fibroblasts in the skin’s structural tissues, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
(2) Damage to both eyes
1. Causing photokeratitis: Ultraviolet disinfection lamps can damage the corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells, leading to inflammation, also known as photokeratitis.
The symptoms include redness and swelling of the eyelids, conjunctival congestion and edema, a strong sensation of pressure and pain, photophobia, tearing, and difficulty opening the eyes. During the acute phase of the condition, vision may become blurred and unclear.

2. Causing corneal inflammation: Significant exposure to ultraviolet radiation can severely damage the cornea, easily leading to eye pain and causing inflammation of both the cornea and conjunctiva.


 

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